Knowledge and barriers related to prostate and colorectal cancer prevention in underserved black men.
OBJECTIVE
This qualitative study examined underserved black males' perspectives about prostate and colorectal cancer screening.


METHODS
Black male residents of Newark, NJ, > or =18 years of age, were recruited to participate in focus groups. Two groups were conducted with a total of 24 participants. Transcripts were analyzed using an immersion/crystallization approach.


RESULTS
Three major themes were identified, while men reflected on their experiences with prostate and colorectal cancer screening: (1) motivation for seeking screening; (2) fear associated with screenings: and (3) healthcare system barriers (e.g., patient-doctor relationships, insurance and mistrust of healthcare professionals). Participants also gave recommendations on how to increase preventive screening.


CONCLUSIONS
Fear and past experiences with healthcare serve as motivators and demotivators of preventive screening behavior. Interventions that address motivation and fear are recommended to increase preventive screening among this population.
Fyffe
Denise C
DC
Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities, School of Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 65 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07101, USA. fyffedc@umdnj.edu
Hudson
Shawna V
SV
Fagan
Joanne K
JK
Brown
Diane R
DR
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States